A recent government survey highlights a concerning trend in school violence, with 2 out of every 100 students reporting incidents. This marks the highest proportion of victims since the first school violence survey in 2013. Notably, there has also been a sharp increase in cases of sexual violence and cyberbullying.
Key Findings from the 2024 Census
Released by the Ministry of Education, the findings from the 2024 survey conducted in April indicate that 2.1% of students reported experiencing school violence, an increase of 0.2 percentage points from the previous year’s figure of 1.9%. This marks the first time in 11 years that the percentage has crossed the 2% threshold, a notable rise from the 2.2% recorded in 2013.
In the 2023 sample survey conducted in September and October, 1.7% of students reported similar experiences, reflecting a 0.1 percentage point increase from 1.6% in the previous year.
Breakdown by Education Level
The survey found that elementary and middle school students reported higher rates of abuse:
- Elementary School: 4.2% reported abuse in the 2024 census (up 0.3 percentage points from 3.9% in 2023).
- Middle School: 1.6% reported abuse (up 0.3 percentage points from 1.3% in 2023).
- High School: 0.5% reported abuse (up 0.1 percentage points from 0.4% in 2023).
These figures underscore a troubling trend, particularly among younger students.
Increase in Reporting of School Violence
The number of reported cases of school violence also rose significantly. In the 2023 school year (March 2023 to February 2024), there were 61,445 reports, representing a 6% increase from 57,981 reports in the previous year.
Types of Violence Reported
The 2024 census revealed that verbal abuse was the most common form of violence, reported by 39.4% of respondents, followed by:
- Physical Violence: 15.5%
- Bullying: 15.5%
- Cyber Violence: 7.4%
- Sexual Violence: 5.9%
- Coercion: 5.7%
- Extortion: 5.4%
- Stalking: 5.3%
Verbal abuse experienced the largest increase, up 2.3 percentage points from the previous year. Sexual violence has seen a continuous rise over the last four years, reaching its highest level since the survey began in 2013.
The Impact of COVID-19
Experts suggest that many students missed critical developmental opportunities for learning social skills due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kim Seong-cheon, a professor at the Korea National University of Education, emphasized the need for programs that foster community and resilience among students.
Calls for Action
The Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union highlighted the ineffectiveness of current measures and called for stronger policies focused on repairing relationships and enhancing educational activities to tackle the root causes of violence.
Moreover, there has been criticism regarding the delayed release of survey results, which has impeded the timely implementation of necessary measures to address the increasing prevalence of school violence.
Conclusion
The findings from the 2024 census and 2023 sample survey paint a troubling picture of the current state of school violence. As the rates of incidents rise, particularly among younger students, immediate action and effective strategies are essential to foster safer and more supportive school environments.
